Making Latvia proud: Kaspars Ziemins

For most hockey players, playing in the OHL means moving a few hours away from home to play in a city that they likely visited previously to for a minor hockey tournament. For Petes forward Kaspars Ziemins playing in the OHL meant that he had to move halfway across the world to try and chase his hockey dreams.

Ziemins hails from Riga, Latvia and grew up learning to skate and play hockey on local ponds before joining organized hockey at the age of 8. While playing in Latvia he rose through the ranks putting up large point totals along the way eventually reaching the top level of Latvian hockey at the age of 17. Before this OHL season Ziemins made the difficult decision to move away from his home to put his skill on full display at the Peterborough Memorial Center. 

When discussing his decision to come and play in the OHL Ziemins explains, “Latvia is a very small country in terms of hockey compared to Canada and the United States so it was always my dream to come and play somewhere else.”

While some players would be nervous to move across the world to play hockey, Ziemins sees it as a necessary step in his hockey career. He takes a very dedicated and serious approach to the game of hockey which likely stems from his family’s incredible history in the sport. Ziemens father played in the top Latvian hockey league when it was still considered an amateur league and both of his older brothers have also played professional hockey in his home country. While one of Kaspars’ brothers is still playing in the Latvian league both of his older brothers are also now coaches for a team in the Latvian second division. During his one year of professional hockey in Latvia, Kaspars had the opportunity to play against his older brother.

Kaspars Ziemins picks his corner and hits his target ????#GoPetesGo pic.twitter.com/bdoZzDbzhs

— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) January 30, 2022

“We played against each other while I was playing pro in Latvia. There was a game when I scored against their team twice and we won 2-0 and the funny thing was that he was giving me a ride to and from the game that night.” 

Over his playing years Ziemins has had the opportunity to represent the Latvian national team on a number of different stages including U17 and U18 World Championships. He was also invited to play for the team in the U20 Division 1 championship this past year but turned down the opportunity to focus on his play here in Peterborough. While he was unable to represent his country at the tournament he recognizes that as the only Latvian player currently in the OHL he is able to represent his country in other ways. 

“I am very proud that the Latvian flag is hanging in the PMC and I am very proud to represent my country over here.” 

Quick release from Kaspars Ziemins puts things out of reach for @PetesOHLhockey in a 3-2 win ???? pic.twitter.com/TCuMglmPqi

— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) November 28, 2021

While transitioning to life in Canada has posed some challenges, Ziemins credits his billets here in Peterborough for welcoming him in and showing him around the city. Ziemins has enjoyed seeing all the sights of Peterborough in his first few months here and has been especially excited to try as many restaurants in Canada as well. The young Latvian has developed a soft spot for Wendy’s and Dairy Queen in his short time here. 

While Ziemins’ time in Peterborough has been short he has used the opportunity to showcase his skills on the ice and represent his country in his own way.